tailieunhanh - Báo cáo " EVOLUTION OF THE INDIAN NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAM "

Presently, India occupies a leading place among Asian nations in the indigenous design, development, construction, and operation of nuclear power reactors. Nuclear power generation in India is based on a three-stage plan to eventually make use of the abundant national resources of thorium, through the use of fast breeder reactors. To achieve this long-range goal, India had to necessarily start with setting up heavy water–moderated, natural uranium–fueled power reactors to produce the plutonium required for the subsequent stages | Annu. Rev. Energy Environ. 2002. 27 369-95 doi Copyright 2002 by Annual Reviews. All rights reserved Evolution of the Indian Nuclear Power Program A. Gopalakrishnan Senior Fellow Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs John F. Kennedy School of Government Harvard University 79 John F Kennedy Street Cambridge Massachusetts 02138 email agk37@ Key Words indigenous development thorium utilization fast breeder reactors non-proliferation technological sanctions Abstract Presently India occupies a leading place among Asian nations in the indigenous design development construction and operation of nuclear power reactors. Nuclear power generation in India is based on a three-stage plan to eventually make use of the abundant national resources of thorium through the use of fast breeder reactors. To achieve this long-range goal India had to necessarily start with setting up heavy water-moderated natural uranium-fueled power reactors to produce the plutonium required for the subsequent stages. But as a result of India s nuclear weapon test in 1974 the developed nations imposed a comprehensive ban on the export of nuclear materials and technology to India and these sanctions are still in force. This article outlines the steps followed by India to successfully counter these sanctions over the last 25 years and presents a critical evaluation of the potential problems and prospects of nuclear power in India. contents INCEPTION OF THE NUCLEAR Creation of Apex Organizations .371 The Three-Stage Nuclear Power INITIAL SUPPORT FACILITIES .373 Early Production of Nuclear Materials .373 The Bhabha Atomic Research Center .373 Thermal Research EARLY POWER REACTORS .374 Tarapur Atomic Power Station .374 Rajasthan Atomic Power THE 1974 NUCLEAR WEAPON TEST .375 Sidestepping to Nuclear Weapons .375 International Reactions to the Indian STRUGGLING THROUGH .